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The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health has released a new Prevention through Design paper on Preventing Falls
through the Design of Roof Parapets (PDF*). The paper details the fall
hazards to workers during the design stages of building construction. NIOSH
recommends that parapets, or wall extensions, which act as barriers at a roof's
edge, be used to reduce the risk of falls during the preliminary stages of
construction work. The institute also recommends that parapets meet the OSHA
height requirements for guardrails and reminds employers to consider the
cost-savings advantage of constructing parapets for the design phase.
NIOSH's Prevention through Design initiative
promotes the concept of "designing out" or addressing and minimizing
occupational hazards and risks early in the design process. An increasing
number of businesses recognize the importance of adopting PtD as a
cost-effective means to enhance the safety and health of their employees.
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